Method to assign upstream timeslots and codes to a network terminal and medium access controller to perform such a method

A method to assign upstream timeslots and codes to a network terminal in a point to multipoint communications network includes assigning at least one code to the network terminal for inclusion within a network terminal grant assigning upstream timeslots to the network terminal. A medium access controller performs the method for assigning upstream timeslots and codes. The network terminal is adapted to extract codes from the network terminal grant, and to encode upstream data packets with codes before the upstream transmission of the encoded data packets, upon receipt of this network terminal grant.